Chapter 1684: Cracks in the Iron Curtain

Wall Street's brief respite ended completely the moment CCTV showed the design drawings of the Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket.

Although Beijing has not yet given a direct and specific response, the disclosure of the Long March 9 project has undoubtedly demonstrated that China is capable of completing all the core links of the "Beacon" plan independently without relying on any external help.

As for relying on the space transportation industry as a bargaining chip in exchange for a so-called "decent truce", it is even more unilateral wishful thinking.

The Chinese are well aware that they hold absolute advantage and initiative, so they cannot be satisfied with simply returning to the world of a year ago.

It's about establishing a whole new order.

A major change comparable to the end of the Cold War is about to come.

Against this backdrop, some media outlets are no longer secretive.

Especially the front page headline of The Times the next day, which directly pointed out the essence of the matter:

"A 21st Century Potsdam Declaration? Super-heavy rockets put an end to Washington's fantasies."

The article bluntly states that this is no longer a competition, but an ultimatum.

The only difference is that the target has changed from Tokyo to Washington.

Global financial markets plummeted in response, and the technical rebound of the previous day quickly dissipated like a receding tide. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq turned downward again. Although the panic selling did not trigger the circuit breaker again, the continued slight decline in the curve made it look even more desperate at this time.

International capital holding huge amounts of hot money is circling in vain over the Pacific Ocean like a headless fly.

Japanese and Korean markets?

Deeply trapped in Washington's strategic ties, the future is uncertain.

Singapore, Hong Kong Island?

Due to its limited size, it is difficult to withstand the tsunami-like capital influx.

The Chinese mainland is undoubtedly the strongest light source in the darkness, but the strict restrictions on foreign investment access and industrial policy orientation are like solid gates that cannot be pried open easily.

The wind direction reversed so quickly that it was astonishing.

In just over a decade, investment promotion departments across the country have gone from being eager to "build a nest to attract the phoenix" to being calm and confident in taking the initiative to "select the best candidates".

The shift in power relations is clear and dramatic.

The headlines of global financial media are dominated by various analyses, but the core issue is only one:

Calls for China to relax restrictions on investment areas and scale are hitting decision-makers at an unprecedented level.

But I haven't received any particularly positive response yet...

At the same time, China's international image is also undergoing a profound transformation...

……

A week later, I arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

A medium-sized mainline passenger aircraft with pure white paint and only the "SHAC (Shanghai Aircraft Corporation)" logo with white letters on a green background on the tail, cut into the runway smoothly like an arrow.

Its size is similar to that of the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but its rounder and fuller nose, larger wingspan and dihedral angle, as well as the two obviously thicker engines under the wings have already revealed its identity.

The C919-1000 is currently in the intensive flight test phase.

It is also the benchmark model in the entire series.

Like countless previous test flights, the aircraft slowly slowed down, then slowly glided along the guide line to the designated apron, and the cabin door opened.

But this time, the first people to come out were not the test pilots and aviation engineers, but a dozen passengers in suits and ties with serious expressions.

Clearly not an aviation technician.

About half of them have Chinese faces, while the other half, although also wearing well-tailored suits, have Arabic-style attire with signature plaid turbans and thick beards.

In fact, this group of people was the Etihad Airways senior assessment team from Abu Dhabi.

The head of the delegation, Hamid bin Nahyan, walked down the gangway with steady steps, but was not in a hurry to walk towards the welcoming crowd.

Instead, he circled around the C919-1000 with great interest.

Finally, he stopped under the right wing, his eyes focused on the row of inconspicuous inscriptions on the underwing engine nacelle.

"That's very impressive, Chief Designer Wu." Nahyan raised his head and said to Wu Hui, the chief designer of the C919 project who was accompanying him.

His English has a distinct Middle Eastern accent, but his tone is steady and not difficult to understand.

"The flight experience just now was very smooth, and the cabin was quieter than expected. Especially during the low-altitude, steep-bank maneuvers, the fuselage stability and passenger comfort were maintained very well."

Wu Hui nodded slightly, speaking confidently:

"Your Excellency Nahyan, from the very beginning of the C919's design, active noise reduction and active structural vibration suppression technologies were considered fundamental requirements and deeply integrated into the overall structure. This not only improves passenger comfort, but more importantly, enhances the aircraft's safety margin in complex weather conditions, such as severe turbulence or wind shear, significantly reducing the risk of loss of control."

At this time, a technician wearing Hufei Group work clothes came jogging over with a tablet computer in his hand.

Wu Hui quickly glanced at the screen and nodded.

The technician then handed it to Nahyan. "This is a summary of some of the core data from this verification flight. We've just finished extracting it. Please review it."

Nahyan took the tablet and swiped the screen skillfully with his fingers.

Altitude, speed, attitude, overload...

Various flight parameters flow by like a waterfall.

His eyes finally stopped at the fuel consumption column at the bottom of the screen: 2.15 tons/hour.

There was a small note next to it: "Preliminary estimate, test status: fully loaded with avionics and test equipment; flight profile: low altitude below 5000 meters, including continuous large-angle turns (>45°) and multiple climb-descent cycles (rate >2500 ft/min)."

The strict unit of fuel consumption data should be kg/(kgf·h), which is the amount of fuel consumed per unit thrust and working time.

But now the plane has just landed and the engine thrust curve has not yet come out, so it is of course impossible to give such accurate results.

But as an experienced airline executive, Nahyan naturally knew what was going on.

The test flight just now was not an economic cruise, but a flight in airspace below 5000 meters, fully loaded with test equipment, and carried out multiple sets of maneuvers that consumed a lot of fuel.

The fuel consumption under such extreme working conditions is only 2.15 tons/hour, which means that its normal high-altitude cruising fuel consumption must be much lower than this.

For reference, the typical cruising fuel consumption claimed by the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737MAX in their promotional materials is only in the range of 2.2 to 2.3 tons per hour.

"Excellent efficiency," Nahyan said, handing back the tablet computer and returning his gaze to the now completely silent engine pods in front of him. "It seems these two 'hearts' are quite powerful."

负责航发研制的镐发集团副总师张振华适时上前一步：“您的观察很准，C919-1000装配的是两台我们最新研制的AE1500C1X发动机，它与为空客A320neo配套的AE1500C1F在核心机和风扇系统上完全一致，性能也处于同一水平线。”

At this point, Zhang Zhenhua suddenly changed the subject, with a hint of helplessness:

"In fact, according to the original plan, the first batch of mass-produced AE1500C1Fs should have been delivered to the launch customer last month along with the A320neo... Unfortunately, because the full airworthiness recognition agreement between the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for mainline passenger aircraft has not yet been finalized, the entire A320neo project has been forced to be delayed..."

"In short, it is now highly likely that the AE1500C1X will be the first to enter operation alongside the C919."

This time, Nahyan did not reply immediately. He just walked to the front of the huge carbon fiber fan blades and poked his head to take a look inside.

With the help of the morning light, from this angle you can just see the intercooler module hidden behind the compressor stator blades.

But Zhang Zhenhua interpreted this reaction as concern.

He then added: "Of course, we fully understand the importance that international users place on airworthiness certification. Although the mutual recognition agreement process between CAAC and EASA is still ongoing, the technical standards and verification items for the C919 type certification and the AE1500C1X engine's airworthiness certification fully meet and even partially exceed the highest international requirements. All certification items will be independently completed and pass CAAC's rigorous review."

"If Etihad has further verification requirements, Hufei and Haofa are very happy to form a professional team, bring detailed data and some key components, and go to Abu Dhabi for on-site demonstrations and explanations..."

However, it was beyond everyone's expectations.

"You two worry too much."

Nahyan shook his head slowly but firmly:

"The fact that Etihad Airways chose to come to Shanghai at this moment and personally experience the C919 demonstrates its attitude and trust based on facts."

"We closely follow every milestone in global aviation technology—from materials and avionics to engines, and especially the remarkable ability to independently control the entire process... Huaxia's engineering strength, quality system, and airworthiness certification capabilities have been powerfully demonstrated in the success of a series of major projects over the past few years."

He raised his hand and pointed at the tablet computer in the arms of the technician next to him:

"This data, for the aircraft itself and the industrial system behind it, is the best endorsement... Of course, the mutual airworthiness recognition agreement is necessary as a coordination process between government agencies, but it should not and will not be the true yardstick for measuring an excellent aircraft and an excellent 'heart'."

Such an impassioned speech actually confused the Chinese technicians on the scene.

Even a little touched.

how many years?

Since the stumbling Y-10, this is the first time they have heard such a firm statement of support from a customer.

Nahyan looked around and paused for a moment before making a clear statement:

"As long as the C919-1000 aircraft and its AE1500C1X engine can successfully obtain the type certificate and airworthiness certificate issued by CAAC, the General Civil Aviation Authority of Abu Dhabi will simultaneously and unconditionally recognize CAAC's certification conclusions and grant full permission for operations in UAE airspace. Our trust in China's technical standards and regulatory capabilities is as solid as the signature on the agreement."

An early autumn breeze blew across the tarmac.

No other words are needed.

Everyone knows that this is not a simple business order intention.

Rather, it is a vote of confidence in China's aviation industry system from a heavyweight international customer at the crossroads of the new era.